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trasom's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
lucid_indifference's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
wordsfromvictoria's review
5.0
This was a serendipitous find via my Kindle's recommendations, which had taken rather a strange turn recently, recommending me books on ethical polyamory despite me having no interest in the topic alongside endless books on kettlebell training because I bought one book three years ago during the pandemic. I've moved on Kindle and so should you.
In brief, a dereliction is a scene of abandonment or desertion following some great, unexplained calamity. There are no living humans so no characters or dialogue and what plot there is, is simply implied. The rich description and sometimes arcane literary vocabulary brings to mind Lovecraft, some of whose stories were light on character building and narrative. Certainly, reading these short stories rekindled some of the feelings I had when I first read Lovecraft (lingering horror, existential dread, and so on).
I enjoyed some of the recognisably British settings (one reminded me of family holidays in Devon and Cornwall when I was a child) and that they weren't the usual horror tropes (haunted houses on a wild moor, graveyards, asylums), which meant that the stories felt fresh and original.
There is a short essay at the end which explains the experimental concept behind the derelictions and Nevill mentions a photo he saw as a child of a foot still in its shoe, surrounded by a pile of ashes and how the image stuck with him. I'm pretty sure I know the exact photo he is referring to, which is that of John Bentley's foot, an alleged victim of spontaneous human combustion. Clearly, we were both reading the same things when we were growing up, so perhaps this is why these short stories particularly resonated with me.
It wasn't until after I finished the book that I found out the author is a distinguished, award-winning horror writer, with two film adaptations already to his name (The Ritual and No One Gets Out Alive). Sometimes the algorithm deals you a good hand. I am certainly going to be catching up on Nevill's previous work.
In brief, a dereliction is a scene of abandonment or desertion following some great, unexplained calamity. There are no living humans so no characters or dialogue and what plot there is, is simply implied. The rich description and sometimes arcane literary vocabulary brings to mind Lovecraft, some of whose stories were light on character building and narrative. Certainly, reading these short stories rekindled some of the feelings I had when I first read Lovecraft (lingering horror, existential dread, and so on).
I enjoyed some of the recognisably British settings (one reminded me of family holidays in Devon and Cornwall when I was a child) and that they weren't the usual horror tropes (haunted houses on a wild moor, graveyards, asylums), which meant that the stories felt fresh and original.
There is a short essay at the end which explains the experimental concept behind the derelictions and Nevill mentions a photo he saw as a child of a foot still in its shoe, surrounded by a pile of ashes and how the image stuck with him. I'm pretty sure I know the exact photo he is referring to, which is that of John Bentley's foot, an alleged victim of spontaneous human combustion. Clearly, we were both reading the same things when we were growing up, so perhaps this is why these short stories particularly resonated with me.
It wasn't until after I finished the book that I found out the author is a distinguished, award-winning horror writer, with two film adaptations already to his name (The Ritual and No One Gets Out Alive). Sometimes the algorithm deals you a good hand. I am certainly going to be catching up on Nevill's previous work.
bullterrierlove's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
charm_city_sinner's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
bookishwelshie's review against another edition
5.0
Wyrd (And Other Derelictions) is a unique set of short creepy tales.
The setting of each story is described very richly, it helps you to picture each one vividly in your mind. Nevill’s writing abilities are on full, glorious display. He makes you take your time immersing yourself deeply into each story’s world. They all take place after an awful event, and the reader is left to read about, to study, the surroundings. There is one notable thing missing during each story, and that is living, breathing humans.
The experience is like looking through the eyes of the narrator and feeling/experiencing what they would feel when looking around these often dismal environments. Horrific imagery is described to the reader at every turn.
The opening story, Hippocampus, really gives you an amazing taster of the writing style and makes you desperate for more.
I have enjoyed reading back over these stories again, but more slowly this time, to appreciate the writing once more. I actually rarely do this after finishing a book unless I’m going back to note down specific quotes.
Good horror to me always gives senses of foreboding and dread. These tales absolutely hit the nail on the head for me.
The setting of each story is described very richly, it helps you to picture each one vividly in your mind. Nevill’s writing abilities are on full, glorious display. He makes you take your time immersing yourself deeply into each story’s world. They all take place after an awful event, and the reader is left to read about, to study, the surroundings. There is one notable thing missing during each story, and that is living, breathing humans.
The experience is like looking through the eyes of the narrator and feeling/experiencing what they would feel when looking around these often dismal environments. Horrific imagery is described to the reader at every turn.
The opening story, Hippocampus, really gives you an amazing taster of the writing style and makes you desperate for more.
I have enjoyed reading back over these stories again, but more slowly this time, to appreciate the writing once more. I actually rarely do this after finishing a book unless I’m going back to note down specific quotes.
Good horror to me always gives senses of foreboding and dread. These tales absolutely hit the nail on the head for me.
oddmariposabooks's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
vererito's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Gore
Minor: Animal death